HRIS / Technology

New scrutiny may change the way employers access social media

06/08/2012

Before you plunge into cyberspace in search of information on applicants (or current employees), understand the legal implications. Employers’ efforts to access employees’ and applicants’ private social media websites have recently been subject to increased scrutiny by New York and federal legislators.

Congress considers ‘Facebook password’ bill

05/31/2012

Media reports speculating that a handful of employers asked employees for their social-media passwords has led Congress to consider legislation that would make it illegal for employers to request employees’ (or applicants’) passwords.

Ensure email policy spells out access rules

05/18/2012

When it comes to securing employees’ email accounts against internal hacking, leave nothing to chance. Make it clear that you forbid employees from illegitimately accessing co-workers’ email—and that it’s grounds for dismissal.

‘Where do I find Elvis videos?’ and other IT inquiries

05/09/2012

Consulting firm Robert Half asked CIOs for the strangest employee requests they’ve received in their IT departments. Among the weirdest: “Can I turn the coffee pot on with my computer?”

An app for that: Applicants at Sodexo phone in their résumés

04/25/2012

Candidates can apply for jobs at Sodexo through an app on their smartphones. The new jobs app allows would-be employees to search and apply for Sodexo jobs in the United States by keyword, discipline or location.

Federal computer law doesn’t cover misuse of trade secrets

04/12/2012

The federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) doesn’t grant employers any legal recourse if an employee misuses information obtained from company computers, according to a recent Minnesota Federal District Court ruling.

Social media at work: Necessary, annoying or both?

04/05/2012

A recent poll by staffing firm Manpower asked HR professionals what one word they’d use to describe social media in today’s workplace. The most frequent response? Necessary.

Warn managers: That snarky email may be the smoking-gun evidence that loses a lawsuit

03/22/2012

It used to be that managers picked up the phone when seeking HR’s input on how to handle an employee problem. These days, they send an email. That can spell big trouble. Email, unlike a phone conversation, leaves a perfect record of what transpired. And courts don’t hesitate to use email as evidence.

Tech training goes online for Verizon employees

03/14/2012

Verizon employees have logged more than 9 million training hours, including more than 60,000 hours for front-line sales and service representatives who learned to use new computer technology.

Set policy to regulate employee use and abuse of blogs

03/09/2012

A quick scan of the world’s 156 million blogs reveals plenty of employees discussing their work. Sometimes that spells legal trouble for employers. By implementing an effective company blogging policy, you may avoid many of the pitfalls.